In addition to hard sides like population size and GDP, soft ones like openness, inclusiveness, convenience and hospitality constitute a city's impressive, unique and individual culture, Paul Owens, director of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF), said at the World Cities Culture (Tianfu) Symposium held in southwest China's Chengdu city June 20-22.

Paul Owens, Director of WCCF (Photo/NBD)

The World Cities Culture Forum was established in London in 2012, and now has 38 member cities across the world. Last August, Chengdu participated in the Forum as the 34th member city.

Taking the example of the concept of kindness, which is part of Tianfu culture, Owens said the idea of kindness and human interaction is very important, especially for big cities.

When asked about why Chengdu was chosen to host the Forum, he explained the WCCF is very keen to show the rest of the world what's happening in Chinese cities, and holding the event in Chengdu allows people in other parts of the world to gain an insight into the culture Chinese cities.

According to him, Chengdu is interesting to other cities, because of its amazing achievements made around industries, music, fashion, and areas involving cultural innovation. It also has a great system for quality design.

He also spoke highly of the city's cultural atmosphere and friendliness. People there are delightful and friendly, which is unusual in other big cities. Besides, the local citizens have a chance to express and participate in the cultural development.

Regarding the Chengdu Declaration announced June 21, Owens said it highlights the importance of city-to-city collaboration. Basically, the key aspect of international cooperation is culture. Trade, investment, and innovation are very important, but have to be done with cultural understanding.

Compared with declarations made by other member cities, this one announced in chengdu gives prominence to two key points: the importance of city-to-city collaboration and the meaningful cultural understanding and collaboration in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.

When asked to give Chengdu some advice about how to become a better city, Owens said the key thing is to play to its strength. A very successful cultural city in the world is very open and very diverse.

May 21, 2018

Messrs. Martin Gallagher, Vice Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand, and Ed Weymes, Pro-Vice Chancellor International/Associate Dean Transnational at the University of Waikato, witnessed May 18 the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chengdu Hamilton Luxelakes School and Chengdu Hamilton Luxelakes Kindergarten in the Tianfu New Area.

May 29, 2018

The Creative Tianfu Brand Design Contest, part of the move of Chengdu government to promote the image of local handicraft and agricultural products of Chengdu, was launched on May 28 at XLY MoMA Museum in eastern Chengdu.